Posts Tagged ‘music

30
Nov
12

THE NIGHT WHEN EVERYONE’S YOUNG

About a couple of weeks ago, Gabby came home with an award…

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What can we say but we’re so proud of him as always! Apparently, the certificate came in early prior to their Awards and Graduation Night. The recognition of the achievers and contest winners in their school were cited during the same night when little kids also graduated from their levels.  Parents, teachers and children in Gabby’s school here in Butterworth, Penang gathered once more just like last year at the pool side at the 5th level of the apartment building where Gabby’s school principal resides.

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And similar to most gatherings, it started with a simple and casual dining! Yum yum yum! :)

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In between awarding ceremony and raffle draws, there was the cute graduation of the little kiddos!

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Twas an evening of performances too! All songs and dances were performed by Gabby’s schoolmates themselves. Gabby was involved in two dances, one of them was an interpretative dance and the other one’s pop but both were religiously inspired.

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Photo-ops with the Filipina who works in Gabby’s school…Salamat, Ate Josephine!

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And Asian smiles from the Malaysian school owners and colleagues from Pakistan whose children are Gabby’s schoolmates…

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Congratulations, anak! You did a great job!  We’re always proud of you! We love you! :)

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________________________

15
Jun
12

FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC

  • In My Life
  • Let It Be
  • I Want To Hold Your Hand
  • Hey Jude

And the list goes on.

Do you dig them?

What’s in your list?

*Have a great weekend, everyone!   (photo sourced here)

28
Oct
11

WHAT HAPPENED IN LOVE LANE

In one of the laterals of Chulia Street in George Town called, Love Lane…

Gabby and I spent an afternoon with this string instrument…

If you think it’s a guitar, look again…

It’s smaller version of guitar, or something like that…

A few Sundays ago, in the company of different nationalities, on a FREE musical workshop conducted by Joshua and his GF, Anne, both musicians from Australia, held in a quaint art gallery owned by Malaysian-Chinese, Clovis & Joey called, Unique Penang Art Gallery located in one charming street, Love Lane, Gabby and I enjoyed something that doesn’t happen on a daily basis.

Can you spot Tina & Gelo

Ukulele.  Have you played one lately or perhaps during your childhood? 

All ukulele were provided (only) during the free workshop session to all attendees which comprised of a group of Asians, Europeans and some other expats and tourists from various countries. We blended in. :)

Josh showed some ukulele videos before introducing the tiny string instrument to us. His girlfriend, Anne, also sang and played the ukulele with him.

Then he taught some basics of the strings, like how fingers should be placed properly arched on the strings, and instructed the audience (including Gabby & me) to play Bruno Mars’ “Just the way you are” which we instantly learned and found ourselves so cool for trying. :D  

But then again, just like any other instrument, it takes practice, hard work, time and dedication to master the craft. Josh offered everyone succeeding classes but with fees already, of course.  We took his flyers home and gave to Gabby’s schoolmates.

I for one, and Amanda, my violin are currently on a “cool-off” stage after an engaging in a 5 month-relationship. However, it doesn’t mean I love her less; I just felt the need for some space, haha! :D  No regrets because I’ve learned the basics, a few simple songs and can absolutely continue learning it whenever I find a chance again (who knows, perhaps soon?). For the time being, my family and I have more important priorities. It’s enough for us to spend special times together and have fun with few extraordinary moments. Playing instruments and paying fees to master it can wait in time. :)

I had mixed feelings when I saw this unusual instrument. First thing came to mind : a turtle died or perhaps lost its shell for this.

What musical instrument do you play?

14
Mar
11

SOME THINGS TO ABSORB

Have you ever thought of spending at least an hour of your week with no worries even a bit; and just be child-like again? Thinking about it almost seemed like a luxury already but I did. I already did. :D

Five weeks ago, I decided to pursue my frustration want of learning to play the violin.  I know I am a beginner and I will not have to be defensive in stating that it’s never too late to learn anything because it’s damn true. If you must know, every hour of my theoretical and practical violin sessions with my 21-year-old (read : I’ll be turning 35 on September) Chinese teacher, who has been a violinist and a pianist for 5 years and counting and a very patient and passionate at her work (she does other jobs too), I never think of any worries and do nothing but enjoy the moment. It’s always fun to be child-like again!

I always look forward to my Wednesday dates with Amanda (my violin). Browsing and reading music scores from these kiddie-beginner’s books accompanied by CD, however difficult (to coordinate my hand with my eyes) is always fun for I like what I’m doing . Aren’t they cute? haha! :P

It’s hard to learn violin when you don’t have any background in playing the piano, worse, in reading the notes. But there’s nothing difficult for someone who perseveres!

haha! :D

FYI, I’m done with more or less, 10 practice songs with bowing and open hand and just started learning to play the violin with the songs using 1 finger (After 10 or more songs, then we’ll proceed with 2nd finger, 3rd finger and lastly the 4th with variations on notes of course).

I also dared myself to learn a bit of taking photos (some called it photography) last month and began to look at everything as a photo-opportunity. :D   Everything is almost picturesque with Alfonso (my Nikon D7000).

One of my senior colleagues, who happens to know photography since I’m 2 years old, have been generous in sharing some of his tips and whatnot about the hobby. He advised me and another fellow to buy and read some photography books and magazines because, according to him, it is only through it and by practice that we will learn. I couldn’t agree more.

One afternoon at Popular Bookstore in George Town, Penang, he suggested a book which I bought the next day. It’s by 2 Asian authors with title, A Billion Shots.

The book is beautiful. The photos are fantastic. I am considering sharing it to my few readers, by buying a new one and have it as one of the prizes to my upcoming blog anniversary contest (This humble site will turn 4 on May 8 and the small-time-blogger-from-Penang, ehem, that’s me! hehe, is thinking of throwing another contest for his tribe or cult(?) (that’s you!) next month).

Other than those books, I also took the word from my senior colleague to buy affordable photo-magazine that features D7000 and tricks on how to capture gorgeous pictures.

Time is all I need to browse and absorb them all.

What have you been busy browsing?

It’s fun to forget about work. forget about hassles. forget about monthly bills. forget about homesickness. forget about people who don’t value you. even for just an hour. The moment is priceless!

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PS : I used to read few of Dan Brown books and would like to continue on more titles when i find time. I’d like to continue reading paperbacks soon… And you?

23
Jan
10

SIMPLE THINGS

One of the singer-songwriters I like is Jim Brickman.  You could just imagine how glad I am to stumble upon a music video on where else but youtube, of one of the songs he beautifully wrote.

I believe God is reminding me of these simple things. :D  

This, I am dedicating to the 2 most important people in my life : my wife Tina and our son, Gabby! :D

Now, kindly do me yourself a favor to brighten up your mood -click the video and sing along loudly, OK?

27
Jun
09

ICONIC

Yesterday, the world just lost one of its greatest music icons.

I arrived at my work place yesterday morning and I was clueless about the news.  I only heard about MJ’s demise from our nurse-reviewees while they’re googling the issue on-line trying to figure out the cause.   My world stopped for few seconds while I was trying to absorb what I heard.  Just like one of his songs, he’s gone too soon

I may not be a fan of him but I honestly admit that I like his music and literally grew up with his songs.  I may not understand his oddities eccentricities on how he lived his life but I cannot deny the fact that I am so impressed with how he moved people’s lives across all ages and colors.  

His music is timeless and influential.   Among the songs he recorded,  Heal the World  is one of those that rendered great social impact.  And for the countless chart topping hits he gave us,   I just can’t stop loving you  is one of my favorites.

And his rock with you song never fails to stimulate me.  

RIP,  MJ.

What’s your favorite Michael Jackson song?

30
May
09

SENTI

My family and closest friends and ofcourse my lovely wife know me by heart that my mood swings are erratic.   I don’t know what got into me now that I’m having few minutes of sentimental mood and eventually thought of posting one of my old-time-favorite love songs and it’s not Careless Whispher, LOL.  Perhaps it’s because of the weather.  The rain began to pour here in our place and I just love the drizzle. Some people say it’s being pessimistic to like the rain but  to each his own.  I usually feel inspired, motivated, recharged (mushy!LOL) when it rains (but not, ofcourse when there’s storm).  

My father-in-law in Missouri also likes this song so much. I fell in love with the song too even without watching the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s where it was used decades ago.  I’d like to find time one day to see it.   

One of my frustrations is to learn how to play the violin or cello. I’d like to learn either of them and play with an orchestra in a stage.  Violin for me is so romantic. I don’t know, some people like guitars, drums or for one of my colleagues, he and his dad play trumpets, but I like strings of violin.  I wish I could also find time in the soonest future to learn how to play it.

You can just imagine how smiley I was when I stumble upon this video on youtube of a three-piece orchestra, young Asian musicians at that, playing one of my favorite love songs on my favorite string instruments on a rainy day!  

Let’s get mushy : What’s your favorite love song?




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